Self leveling camera heads with inductive and capacitive coupling

Abstract

Self leveling camera heads are described. The camera heads can be used in a range of applications including drain inspection systems. The camera heads include inductive and capacitive coupling to transfer signals from and electrical power to an image sensor assembly in the camera head. Also described are drain inspection systems using the camera heads.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera head comprising:
 a housing; 
 an image sensor assembly disposed in the housing; 
 a first portion of a capacitive coupling electrically connected to the image sensor assembly; 
 a second portion of a capacitive coupling in wireless signal communication with the first portion of the capacitive coupling; 
 a first portion of an inductive coupling electrically connected to the image sensor assembly; 
 a second portion of an inductive coupling in wireless power transmission with the first portion of the inductive coupling; 
 wherein the camera head is free of slip rings. 
 
     
     
       2. The camera head of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bearing assembly having a first bearing member secured to the housing and a second bearing member positionable with respect to the first bearing member; 
 a weighted support secured to the image sensor assembly, the weighted support also secured to the second bearing member of the bearing assembly, wherein the weighted support provides gravity determined positioning of the image sensor assembly. 
 
     
     
       3. The camera head of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a primary electronic assembly electrically connected to the second portion of the capacitive coupling. 
 
     
     
       4. The camera head of  claim 3  wherein the primary electronic assembly is also electrically connected to the second portion of the inductive coupling. 
     
     
       5. The camera head of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an LED assembly supported by the housing, the LED assembly for emitting light from the camera head. 
 
     
     
       6. The camera head of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an optical lens assembly coupled to the image sensor assembly. 
 
     
     
       7. The camera head of  claim 1  wherein the first portion of the capacitive coupling is disposed radially inward relative to the second portion of the capacitive coupling. 
     
     
       8. The camera head of  claim 1  wherein the first portion of the inductive coupling is disposed frontwardly relative to the second portion of the inductive coupling. 
     
     
       9. A self leveling camera head comprising:
 an enclosure defining a hollow interior; 
 a rear portion of an inductive coupling supported by the enclosure; 
 an outer portion of a capacitive coupling supported by the enclosure; 
 a primary electronic assembly supported by the enclosure; 
 a rotatable assembly disposed in the hollow interior of the enclosure, the rotatable assembly including an inner portion of the capacitive coupling, an image sensor assembly, and a front portion of an inductive coupling; 
 wherein the outer portion of the capacitive coupling and the inner portion of the capacitive coupling are in wireless signal communication with each other, and the front portion of the inductive coupling and the rear portion of the inductive coupling are in wireless power transmission with each other; 
 wherein the camera head is free of slip rings. 
 
     
     
       10. The self leveling camera head of  claim 9  wherein the primary electronic assembly is in electrical communication with the outer portion of the capacitive coupling. 
     
     
       11. The self leveling camera head of  claim 10  wherein the primary electronic assembly is also in electrical communication with the rear portion of the inductive coupling. 
     
     
       12. The self leveling camera head of  claim 9  wherein the image sensor assembly is in electrical communication with the inner portion of the capacitive coupling. 
     
     
       13. The self leveling camera head of  claim 12  wherein the image sensor is also in electrical communication with the front portion of the inductive coupling. 
     
     
       14. The self leveling camera head of  claim 9  wherein the rotatable assembly further includes a weighted support secured to the image sensor assembly, the weighted support providing gravity determined positioning of the image sensor assembly. 
     
     
       15. The self leveling camera head of  claim 9  further comprising:
 an LED assembly for emitting light from the camera head. 
 
     
     
       16. The self leveling camera head of  claim 9  further comprising:
 an optical lens assembly for directing light to the image sensor assembly. 
 
     
     
       17. An inspection system comprising:
 an operator interface; 
 a reel assembly including a rotatable drum; 
 a camera head; 
 a push cable extending between the reel assembly and the camera head; 
 wherein the camera head includes (i) a housing, (ii) an image sensor assembly disposed in the housing, (iii) an inner portion of a capacitive coupling electrically connected to the image sensor assembly, (iv) an outer portion of a capacitive coupling in wireless signal communication with the inner portion of the capacitive coupling, (v) a front portion of an inductive coupling electrically connected to the image sensor assembly, and (vi) a rear portion of an inductive coupling in wireless power transmission with the front portion of the inductive coupling, wherein the camera head is free of slip rings. 
 
     
     
       18. The inspection system of  claim 17  wherein the camera head further includes a bearing assembly having a first bearing member secured to the housing and a second bearing member positionable with respect to the first bearing member, the camera head further including a weighted support secured to the image sensor assembly, the weighted support also secured to the second bearing member of the bearing assembly, wherein the weighted support provides gravity determined positioning of the image sensor assembly. 
     
     
       19. The inspection system of  claim 17  wherein the camera head further includes a primary electronic assembly electrically connected to the outer portion of the capacitive coupling. 
     
     
       20. The inspection system of  claim 19  wherein the primary electronic assembly is also electrically connected to the rear portion of the inductive coupling. 
     
     
       21. The inspection system of  claim 17  wherein the camera head further includes an LED assembly supported by the housing, the LED assembly for emitting light from the camera head. 
     
     
       22. The inspection system of  claim 17  wherein the camera head further includes an optical lens assembly coupled to the image sensor assembly.